AS2 Blog 3 – Analyse the track

In this blog I will be copying the lyrics of (Castle) to my blog, including how long the song is and what kind of pace it has. Also talking about meaning, narrative, content and imagery.

Castle is 4 minute 36 seconds long and can be implied that it is about her rise against patriarchy and standing up for her own beliefs.

I will be analysing the lyrics of this song and what each stanza connotes.

Sick of all these people talking, sick of all this noise
Tired of all these cameras flashing, sick of being poised
Now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it
Already choking on my pride, so there's no use crying about it

The opening suggests how Halsey is a victim to fame, ‘sick of these people talking, sick of all this noise, tired of all these cameras flashing.’ As the audience, we can imply that she wants to escape herself from the paparazzi and gossips and isolate herself so she can be a normal person, rather than the ideal and perfect idol. ‘Now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it’. This line can be implicated as a symbolism for choking and further emphasizes Hasley’s vulnerability in her situation.

I'm headed straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean I'm headed straight for the castle
They've got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut

Straight for the castle

The chorus of this song has a more cynical and heartfelt tone to it, and as the audience we can actually hear Hasley’s passion and emotions in her voice. This stanza also proposes the idea of patriarchy and how society restricts women. EG, ‘there’s an old man sitting on the throne…saying I probably shouldn’t be so mean… I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut’ Here, we can see how the old man is clearly the one who possesses the power of the kingdom, however she (Halsey) is striving to become the queen. Patriarchy is then portrayed as the old man objectifies her and tells her to keep her pretty mouth shut, almost implying how women are only there to ‘look good’ and cannot take on a role of high authority.  Consequently, it can also be inferred how Halsey is rebelling against society’s expectations of women, i.e. being domestic and submissive.

Oh, all of these minutes passing, sick of feeling used
If you wanna break these walls down, you're gonna get bruised
Now my neck is open wide, begging for a fist around it
Already choking on my pride, so there's no use crying about it

The ‘walls’ in this stanza can be symbolic for the metaphorical fortress that Halsey surrounds herself with an attempt to shelter her heart, allowing herself to be isolated as she wanted. The first two lines are also very emotional. The use of the word ‘bruised’ can be linked to abuse, forced affection and fights; all of which have negative impacts on the body. This can suggest how mentally and physically Hasley is feeling bruised, or is using this as a defence mechanism and stating that if anybody tries to approach her, they will get hurt. The repetition of the last two lines emphasizes her vulnerability.

I'm headed straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean
I'm headed straight for the castle
They've got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut

Straight for the castle

There's no use crying about it
There's no use crying about it
There's no use crying about it
There's no use crying about it

‘Theres no use crying about it’ This can be linked to Hasley’s current emotions and how she now feels frustrated and has given up hope, arguing there is now no point even shedding tears on it. The repetition of the same line can imply how she is reassuring herself that it will be okay and she shouldn’t waste her time crying about it, further emphasising her emotions.

I'm headed straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean I'm headed straight for the castle
They've got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut

Straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's saying that I probably shouldn't be so mean I'm headed straight for the castle
They've got the kingdom locked up
And there's an old man sitting on the throne that's saying I should probably keep my pretty mouth shut

Straight for the castle

The repetition of the chorus 3 times can show her motive to go to the castle and overrule patriarchy and take over the kingdom.